Hard Hitting Analysis of Steelers Football

Steelers Draft Anthony Chickillo in 6th Round, Linebacker Miami

The Steelers drafted Anthony Chickillo with their second 6th round compensatory pick. Chickillo played defensive end for the Miami Hurricanes, but the Steelers are projecting him as an outside linebacker, as evidenced by the fact that ourside linebackers coach Joey Porter, and not defensive line coach Johnny Mitchell addressed the press after the Steelers announced their pick.

Colbert’s comments would seem to indicate that the Steeler regard Chickillo as a work in progress.

Video Highlights of Anthony Chickillo

The University of Miami is one of the most prolific of the NCAA’s football programs, and in its heyday of the late 1980’s and 1990’s was often described as “almost like a pro team.” As such, all of their draft prospects (thankfully) have You Tube video highlight reels posted, which you can find enjoy here:

That’s some impressive film. But for all its legend and lore, doing it in college, even for a team like the Miami Hurricanes, isn’t the same as doing it in the NFL

How Anthony Chickillo Fits into the Steelers Plans

Anthony Chickillo will follow in the footsteps of so many other undersized college defensive ends drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers – he’ll be asked to learn a new position of outside 3-4 linebacker.

In doing so he’ll have one of the Steelers finest 3-4 outside linebackers there to coach him.

Still, if he can contribute on special teams, then he has a chance at making the team, and unless he totally fumbles his opportunity at St. Vincents, Chickillo will have an almost certain slot on the practice squad.